News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

"Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia's illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Merz said Zelensky would need voters to back any territorial concessions by arguing that they would open Ukraine's path to Europe.

The chancellor said Zelensky would need a referendum majority for such a step. To secure that majority, Merz added, Zelensky would have to tell the Ukrainian people: "But I have opened the way to Europe for you."

Between January and March 2026, Nova Post’s profit totaled Hr 1.28 billion ($29 million) — a 4.4-fold increase compared with the same period in 2025.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces will continue to take measures to reduce the combat potential of the Russian occupation forces," the General Staff said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia's support and lauded the "strategic partnership" between the two countries.

The project follows a defense declaration signed by Ukraine and Norway on April 14 in Oslo, where President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere agreed to deepen military cooperation, including joint drone production, as part of a broader strategic partnership.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog has repeatedly warned that military activity around the Russian-occupied facility risks a wider nuclear safety crisis.

"Ukraine has proven itself a partner for countries that want to defend themselves against aerial attacks," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

A private company that was awarded a Hr 2.5 billion ($57 million) contract by the state to repair and maintain military equipment siphoned off about $13 million through shell companies, investigators said.

The findings come amid broader concerns over Ukraine's mobilization system, which has faced persistent challenges in recruitment and rotation during the full-scale war.

The opening coincided with the arrival of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Pyongyang.

Russia launched a drone attack on Odesa overnight on April 27, striking residential infrastructure in the city, officials reported.